Ferrari Club Classic At thruxton 2023

The Ferrari Club Classic was held at Thruxton Circuit on the 17th & 18th June 2023 at the Thruxton Historic weekend. We attended the first race on the Saturday and after some early rain, fortunately the weather held out for the race and we were blessed with sunshine. After a clean race start, the first lap was eventful, with Tony Claringbould going off in his Mondial through the complex, and he rejoined the track albeit with a damaged rear tyre causing him to go off again and retiring from the race at the next corner, Noble, this happening just as I was passing him.

Some close racing ensued with almost everyone involved all through the field until Vance Kearney suffered an engine bay fire, fortunately with no harm to him, causing the race being red-flagged. With only approximately 4 minutes to go until the end of the race we were sent into the pit lane giving the impression that the race was over. We were very surprised to be led back out and formed back up on the grid, albeit initially being directed into the wrong positions. Once re-sorted, we were told there would be a further 5 minute race from the prior ending positions, and then we sat and awaited re-start in the very hot conditions whilst the track was cleared, and as we later learned, the fire truck re-filled.

Nicky Paul-Barron who had led the race in his 355 prior to the red flag was in pole position for the restart but lost out to Jim Cartwright, 328 GTB, who immediately took the lead and went on to win the what was now a 4 lap sprint. Paul-Barron finished second with Gary Culver third in his 328GTB. I too had a great race, finishing in 9th after a close fought race with Jago Keen, my best finish of the weekend.

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